verb
to watch, to look on
B1
Separable verb meaning 'to watch' or 'to look on'. Regular weak verb; auxiliary haben; past participle zugeschaut. Not reflexive. Note: it takes a dative object (jemandem zuschauen), e.g., 'Ich schaue dem Kind zu.' Used for observing events or people without active participation.
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.EXAMPLES
Die Besucher schauten dem Handwerker zu, als er das alte Fenster sorgfältig reparierte.
The visitors watched the craftsman as he carefully repaired the old window.
Manchmal kann ich nur zusehen, wie sie diskutieren.
Sometimes I can only look on while they argue.
Ich schaue dir beim Kochen zu.
I watch you while you cook.
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.DETAILS_LABEL
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.MNEMONICS
Imagine sitting next to someone watching TV, literally 'sitting beside' the action and watching it closely.
Sounds a bit like 'to show on' — imagine 'show' with a 'zu' in front.
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.NOTES
A separable verb: in main clauses the prefix 'zu' separates (ich schaue zu). Perfect participle: 'zugeschaut'. Uses 'haben' as auxiliary. Passive voice forms are not applicable because the verb takes a dative experiencer/object and is not normally used in the passive.